Licensing electronic resources must be undertaken in a way that supports the library’s mission by providing access to the highest possible number of databases, electronic journals, eBooks, and streaming media at the lowest possible cost. While the specific objectives and strategies of libraries will vary, skilled librarians must undertake a number of complex tasks in order to successfully license electronic resources. Some of the most important of these tasks or objectives include: negotiating the best possible terms in complex license agreements, maintaining positive working relationships with library vendors, communicating important information to internal and external constituencies, tracking changes in business models and relevant technologies, providing data for collection analysis, as well as coordinating their work with library administrators. This webinar series will cover these and other topics that address the needs of librarians working with the licensing of electronic resources.

During this six-part webinar series, attendees will learn the fundamental structure of contracts, commonly used terms, and how to address indemnification clauses, constraints on use permissions, problems of legal jurisdiction, perpetual access rights, and some more recent developments such as the pursuit of text and data mining rights. Contributors will also explore some complex legal issues and other aspects of electronic resources management including how to maintain positive working relationships with vendors, track important changes in business models and technologies, and control costs. Above all, attendees should understand how licensing does not occur in a vacuum, but must be well grounded in a complex chain of information exchange within and beyond the library, all of which should be undertaken to support the library’s mission as understood and implemented by the library administration.

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